]]>Hats over the wall…Are you all in?http://www.beringumc.org/news-all/news-bmumc/hats-over-the-wall-are-you-all-in/
Tue, 07 Nov 2017 20:49:14 +0000http://www.beringumc.org/?p=10592The Urban Dictionary defines “Hats over the wall” as when you throw your hat over the wall, you’re committing to doing something. The phrase is derived from what you would do before you climb over a wall – you throw the hat over to the other side, so it doesn’t fall off while you are climbing.

The Irish author, Frank O’Connor, told the story of two boys who, tasked with bringing in the apple harvest, found their way blocked by an imposing stone wall that was too high and too difficult to climb. Completing their task seemed impossible. As one of the boys turned away in despair, ready to quit, the other grabbed his hat and threw both of their hats over the wall. “Why’d you do that?!” exclaimed the boy. To which the other replied, “Because now we have no choice but to scale the wall. We are now fully committed. We are going to harvest that orchard!”

I, your pastor, along with the members of the stewardship committee, ask you to prayerfully consider making a stewardship commitment for Bering’s future. That commitment includes a financial and a service commitment that will look different for each of us, based on our differing gifts and abilities.

What we are asking for is an “all in commitment” that, for you, represents throwing your hat over a wall that, but for God’s help, might seem unscalable.

Warren Holleman’s guest tomorrow night on “So, What’s Your Story?” will be Rev. Diane McGehee. Diane has the unique distinction of being both an attorney and the pastor of Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, just a few blocks down the street from KPFT.

Bering has played a pivotal role in shaping and supporting the Montrose community over the years, and Diane, who just happens to be an awesome storyteller, will share stories from the Bible and from her own life, on themes ranging from loaves and fishes to birthday cakes, and from regret to redemption in baseball and her personal life.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Bering Memorial United Methodist Church will be hosting an Interfaith Prayer Vigil to pray for and stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors who are impacted by SB4 and the revocation of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). This will be a safe space. Please plan to attend and invite your immigrant friends and neighbors.

Judicatory and other faith leaders (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other faith traditions) will lead and participate in the prayer vigil. The prayer vigil will be followed by education and information breakout sessions led by immigration attorneys and law enforcement. These sessions are designed to help members of the immigrant community know their rights, as well as know the steps that they can take to care for themselves and their families. We will have Spanish interpretation during the vigil and during the breakout education and information sessions.

Additional information that will be available during the breakout sessions:

Sharing information about how congregations and other community members can support our immigrant neighbors during this difficult time.

Tools for organizing to urge Congress to act to protect DACA recipients will be shared.

Voter registration will be available.

]]>Prayer from Dianehttp://www.beringumc.org/news-all/news-bmumc/prayer-from-diane/
Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:23:43 +0000http://www.beringumc.org/?p=10245Prayers of the People

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, help us we pray. As the waters continue to rise, protect us from harm. Quiet our fears and remind us that you are with us and will never leave us or forsake us. We ask you to calm the storm – the one raging outside and the one raging within us. Speak peace to the storm.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, we pray for all of us who are still in harm’s way as this storm continues to devastate the coast and inland areas of Texas and Louisiana. We ask for your protection and shelter from the storm.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, we pray for those who have lost loved ones in this storm. Comfort them in their grief and hold them in your loving care. May there be no more loss of life.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, we pray for those who have lost beloved pets. Comfort them in their grief and hold them in your loving care. May there be no more loss of life.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, we pray for all of us who have lost or sustained damage to our homes, vehicles, businesses and other property. May you provide for all our needs and may we, your people, rise in your strength to meet one another’s needs.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble, we pray for first responders as they search for those trapped by the storm and seek to rescue and respond to the needs of those devastated by this storm. Protect them; keep them safe; and aid their efforts.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, we pray for those overseeing the disaster response, relief, and recovery: our president, governors, mayors, city and other officials, and aid workers. Grant them wisdom and courage. May they be generous, quick, and effective in their response.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble, we pray for communities of faith and others of good heart. May we be generous and tireless in our response until all are restored in their lives.

Beloved One, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change; though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam.” Psalm 46